Maple News reports that Ontario has officially integrated its Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate immigration streams into the province’s Expression of Interest (EOI) system, expanding opportunities for international graduates who wish to settle in the province.
International Master’s and PhD graduates who have completed their studies in Ontario can now register at any time for a chance to be selected for a provincial nomination through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Until now, registration for these streams was only open during designated application periods, often leading to limited windows and increased competition.
With this update, all five of Ontario’s key Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) now operate through the EOI system. In addition to the Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate streams, the existing streams using EOI include the Foreign Worker, International Student, and In-Demand Skills streams under the Employer Job Offer category.
The EOI system works by ranking candidates using a scoring matrix that evaluates factors such as education, work history, language proficiency, and preferred work location within Ontario. While registering an EOI profile does not guarantee an invitation to apply, it allows qualified candidates to remain active in the system’s pool for up to 12 months.
If selected, candidates will receive a formal invitation to apply for provincial nomination, which significantly enhances their chances of securing permanent residency through Canada’s federal immigration pathways.
Maple News notes that this shift brings more flexibility and transparency to the application process. It allows Ontario to respond more strategically to labour market needs by inviting candidates whose profiles align closely with regional priorities.
Registration for an EOI profile is completely free. However, those invited to apply for a provincial nomination will need to submit a full application along with the applicable program fees. Applicants also have the option to withdraw their EOI at any time, and if not selected within 12 months, their profile will be automatically removed from the pool.
This development offers a significant advantage to international graduates looking to build their future in Ontario, especially amid growing demand for highly skilled workers in sectors such as technology, health care, and research.
By expanding access to immigration streams through a year-round, merit-based ranking system, Ontario continues to position itself as one of Canada’s most welcoming provinces for global talent.